Reality Bites

This article is about the film. For the television series, see Reality Bites (TV series). For the The Simpsons episode, see Realty Bites.
Reality Bites
A man in a blue suit, a short-haired girl in a red dress, a young man in casually dressed. Graffiti on the wall behind them.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBen Stiller
Written byHelen Childress
Produced byDanny DeVito
Michael Shamberg
Starring
CinematographyEmmanuel Lubezki
Edited byLisa Churgin
Music byKarl Wallinger
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • January 28, 1994 (1994-01-28) (Sundance[1])
  • February 18, 1994 (1994-02-18)
Running time
99 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$11.5 million[3]
Box office$41 million[4]

Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and directed by Ben Stiller in his feature directorial debut. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Stiller, with supporting roles by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. In the film, Lelaina (Ryder), an aspiring videographer, works on a documentary about the disenchanted lives of her friends and roommates.

Childress wrote the initial screenplay on spec in 1990, inspired by the lives of her friends and herself during the recession in the early 90s. Stiller was hired as director in 1991, but later starred in the film after working with Childress on the final screenplay, which was completed in December 1992. The film faced production delays until Ryder committed to the project, after which Hawke and Zahn were cast. Garofalo was fired during filming but was recast after Ryder stepped in on her behalf. Principal photography lasted 42 days in 1993, with filming taking place in Houston and Los Angeles.

Reality Bites received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of Ryder, Hawke and Garofalo.[5] It grossed $41 million worldwide.[6] It also appeared on some critics' year-end lists for 1994 and 1995.

While actress Janeane Garofalo has rejected the film's reputation as a Generation X movie, many have embraced it as such.[7] The film has since achieved cult status for its depiction of the career and lifestyle choices faced by young adults.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Byrge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "REALITY BITES (12)". British Board of Film Classification. 1994-03-16. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference kolson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Selected Sundance alumni domestic vs international". Screen International. 17 February 1997. p. 18.
  5. ^ "A Generation X Quartet Sinks Its Teeth Into Life". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  6. ^ "'Reality' Is A Gen-x Film With Satirical Bite". Orlando Sentinel. October 17, 1999. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  7. ^ Janeane Garofalo Says "Reality Bites" Isn't For Gen X | Letterman, retrieved 2024-02-18